Farmers are observing a “Bharat Bandh” on Monday, 27 September, as they continue to protest against the Centre's contentious three farm laws. The bandh began at 6 am and will continue till 4 pm.
"There has been an unprecedented response, beyond anyone's expectations, to the Samyukt Kisan Morcha's call for Bharat Bandh today," the farmer group said in a statement on Monday.
Hundreds of farmers on Monday blocked major highways, including National Highway 1 linking Delhi with parts of Haryana and Punjab, following a nationwide call by farmers' unions to demand scrapping of the laws.
The Delhi-Amritsar National Highway was blocked at Shahabad in Haryana's Kurukshetra, news agency ANI reported
Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi has extended support to the bandh
The Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu governments have also declared support to the bandh
The Congress joined the farmers' protests on Monday
'Resounding Widespread Response That Is Unprecedented and Historic': SKM on Bharat Bandh
"Resounding widespread response that is unprecedented and historic, to the Bharat Bandh call given by the farmers' movement - People of India tired of Modi Government's adamant, unreasonable and egoistic stand on protesting farmers' legitimate demands, and anti-people policies in numerous sectors," the statement issued by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha read.
"SKM thanks lakhs of citizens and thousands of organisations which participated in today's Bandh and made it a great success – remarkable unity and solidarity witnessed around the country today," the statement added.
'Public Supported Bharat Bandh': Rakesh Tikait
BKU leader Rakesh Tikait, hailing the bandh as a success, was quoted as saying by ANI:
"Bharat Bandh was a success, public supported it. It's okay if public experienced some inconvenience, let one day be in solidarity with farmers who have been experiencing troubles (protesting against farm laws at Delhi border) under sun, heat for last 10 months."
Rakesh Tikait Thanks Farmers, Others for Making Bharat Bandh 'Unprecedented and Historic'
BKU leader Rakesh Tikait took to Twitter to thank those who participated in the Bharat Bandh on Monday.
"Heartfelt gratitude to the youth and businessmen including farmers, workers, students, employees and trade unions across the country, who supported the Bharat Bandh even after facing hardships, for making the Bharat Bandh unprecedented and historic," he stated.
'Traffic Movement Normal': Delhi Traffic Police
Regular traffic movement has resumed in Delhi, as per Delhi Traffic Police.